That's when local government officials, school representatives and residents are heading to the state capital to attend Effingham County Day at the Capitol. The yearly event provides an opportunity for local attendees to meet with state legislators and press them on local issues and seek funding for county projects.

About 150 people will be attending this year, said Linda McDaniel, director of marketing and events at the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, the sponsor of the event. That number includes members of the county commission, city councils, the school board and public, McDaniel said.

Securing more funding for school projects is one of the priorities of School Superintendent Randy Shearouse, who will be attending the event along with members of the school board.

Shearouse said the continuing growth in the county has increased the need for more funding in to help finance capital outlay projects, including planned additions for some of the county schools and the construction of a new middle school, which he estimates will cost between $15-16 million to build.

"We couldn't do that without state funds," he said.

Shearouse said he will promote the county as a potential site for one of the five vocational high schools the state is looking to establish. He has scheduled a meeting with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle to discuss the matter, he said.

"I'm very excited about this meeting," said school board chairwoman Vera Jones. "It would be huge if we could get ourselves in a position to get funding for one of those high schools."

Other school issues on an agenda relayed to lawmakers in December include opposing legislation which aims to create unfunded mandates on educational improvements, monitoring legislative efforts to place additional caps on individual property taxes, supporting efforts to create alternative funding for schools and supporting efforts for community partnerships with Savannah Technical College.

The Effingham County Board of Commissioners plans on spending much of their time in Atlanta trying to establish funding for transportation projects, said Commission Chairwoman Verna Phillips.

"We have been told on many occasions that you need to go as a united front for your county," Phillips said. "We need try to get a bigger piece of the pie."

The projects include the planned Effingham Parkway, Benton Boulevard extension, Old Augusta Road project, a truck bypass for the City of Springfield, and an upgrade to the Interstate 16 and Old River Road interchange in order to serve the Effingham County Industrial Park.

Phillips said the commission plans to meet with Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl to discuss funding the projects.

Phillips said one meeting won't get everything they want, but it will help.

"The more we emphasis our position, the stronger our position will become," she said.